During my summer 2026 internship at Electronic Arts as the Integrated Communications Intern on The Sims team, I took ownership of the franchise newsroom production pipeline and created a series articles supporting The Sims 4, blending education and entertainment to engage our players through innovative in-world storytelling.
From writing in the voices of iconic Sims characters to interviewing developers, artists, and content creators, I had the opportunity to meet talented people across the studio, tell their stories, and even build new lore for the franchise through my articles. In addition to writing these stories, I also produced them from start to finish by managing timelines, image sourcing, and the approval process across internal, legal, and external partners.
Check out my published work on The Sims newsroom: https://www.ea.com/games/the-sims/the-sims-4/news, and read the copy of selected pieces below.
Vadish! (that means “thank you” in Simlish)
A selection of stories I wrote, including developer interviews, product stories, lore/gameplay pieces, and ghostwritten work in creator’s voices.
Article Copy
WooHoo Where? Don Lothario’s Spicy Suggestions
Editor’s note: Don Lothario insisted on writing this himself. We chose not to ask follow-up questions.
Pack note: Some WooHoo locations featured below require Expansion or Game Packs.*
By Don Lothario
Romance Enthusiast, Self-Appointed Expert
Hey there, trouble. I had a feeling you’d show up to hear from me, the one and only Don Lothario.
A little lovebird told me that some of you might be looking to spice things up in your romantic lives by getting out from under the covers. Literally.
It’s true, the shower isn’t steamy enough for all of us–I would know.
I’ve tried many things in the name of romantic ambition. Some were successful. Some got me accused of having commitment issues…and were still successful. In any case, I’m here to help you bust out of your double bed once and for all with 6 of my favorite WooHoo spots.
Cosmic Passion
Up first is somewhere guaranteed to have you seeing stars. The Backyard Observatory is ideal for more than just spying on the neighborhood–it’s also perfect for a trip to cloud nine with your lover.
The telescope on top of the observatory will even spin around along with you. Exhilarating! If you’ve got 1,500 Simoleons to spare, the Backyard Observatory is the best investment you’ll ever make. Trust me on this one.
Or ask Katrina Caliente.
Actually, don’t.
In fact, if you see her, I was never here.
Filthy Flings
Next time you’re on a romantic stroll through Evergreen Harbor, get your mind out of the gutter and IN a dumpster from The Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle Expansion Pack. Sure, the smell might make your eyes water at first, but once your heart starts pounding, it’s time to dive for thrills.
Be prepared for things to get messy. I suggest having a shower waiting at home. Bonus points: that also makes for a much cleaner round two.
Immortal Escapades
For my fanged friends, you can really wake the dead when you shake things up in your coffin from The Sims 4 Vampires Game Pack. And since it turns out only one of you has to be a Vampire for this one, I suddenly have plans tonight. After all, life is about experiences.
Even the undead ones.
P.S. If you and your special someone both happen to be vampires, you can turn into bats and WooHoo midair. Echolocation: romantic? Terrifying? Alas, I can only imagine.
Lover’s Deposit
Whether you’ve got some gold you’re itching to dig into, or you simply believe romance should come with liquidity, you’ve no doubt come across the famous Money Vault from The Sims 4 Get Famous Expansion Pack. As long as you have at least 5,001 Simoleons in there, you’ll soon be feeling like a million bucks.
If you’ve ever said money can’t buy happiness, one trip to the vault with your partner will change your tune forever, and that’s a Don Lothario guarantee.
Cha ching!
Hitting the Hay
I know some of you can be animals when it comes to your love lives, and I’m no exception. Your furry friends have such comfy animal sheds from The Sims 4 Cottage Living Expansion Pack, so why not take advantage?
Just make sure your cows and llamas are out of their pens before you and your lover get it on.
Especially your llamas.
They have excellent long-term memories.
And they spit.
You’ve been warned.
Wrapped As One
Last but not least, we have the romantic blanket from The Sims 4 Lovestruck Expansion Pack: a single piece of cloth with so many possibilities. You and your lover can roll yourselves into an extra spicy burrito in the comfort of your own home…and beyond.
If your love life feels a little wrinkly, there’s nothing like the thrilling chance of being caught in public spaces to reignite your flame.
Romantic blankets come in a variety of colors and patterns, so no matter your style, you’ll certainly find the one for you. There’s even a bear rug. That one makes for a roaring good time.
Ah, fond memories.
Oh, and if Katrina asks, I never wrote this.
If you are Katrina, you know I love hypotheticals, baby.
-Don
Pack note: Dumpster WooHoo requires The Sims 4 Eco Lifestyle Expansion Pack. Coffin and Bat WooHoo require The Sims 4 Vampires Game Pack. Money Vault WooHoo requires The Sims 4 Get Famous Expansion Pack. Animal Shed WooHoo requires The Sims 4 Cottage Living Expansion Pack. Romantic Blanket WooHoo requires The Sims 4 Lovestruck Expansion Pack. Closets require The Sims 4 Get Together* Expansion Pack.
How SpringSims Uses His Creator Platform To Give Back
Creators shape The Sims through their content, community engagement, collaboration with The Sims team, and much more, and many of them also use their platforms to make positive, lasting impacts on the world around them.
To spotlight some of this outreach, Jaye from The Sims newsroom team sat down with SpringSims to talk about his philanthropic work, how The Sims community has influenced it, and ways they can get involved. To read more about how The Sims team supports our Creators, check out our values page.
[Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for length and clarity.]
Jaye: To start, can you introduce yourself and tell us about what you do?
SpringSims: My name is Stephen, but I go by SpringSims on the internet, like YouTube, Twitch and Instagram - all the fun places. I’ve been playing The Sims for 26 years and making content since 2010. It’s been my bread and butter ever since.
When the earthquake happened in Haiti back in 2010, I realized I wanted to use my platform to raise awareness so that people there could rebuild. I’ve been working with the Hope for Haiti organization for the past 6 or 7 years now.
Jaye: As you just said, an organization at the forefront of your outreach is Hope for Haiti. Can you give us an overview of the important work they do?
SpringSims: Hope for Haiti is a charitable organization working to improve the quality of life for people in Haiti, particularly women and children who are wanting to learn, try new things, and have hope. For many, it takes 10.5 miles—which is the equivalent of 22,000 steps a day—to access clean water, healthcare, education, the basic things we usually have in our own backyard.
What I find so impactful about Hope for Haiti is that they are always willing to put in the hard work to improve their quality of life, like providing college scholarships.
Jaye: Let’s go through the journey of your work with the organization.
SpringSims: In 2011, I was a freshman in high school, and I saw a video about the earthquake in Haiti. I knew I wanted to help, and I kept that mindset for years.
During the 2020 lockdown, I found Hope for Haiti online and filled out their contact form. Shortly afterward, Skyler, the CEO, called me.
We talked about my background, my love for playing The Sims, and how I like to do digital fundraising through gaming, also known as gaming for good. It’s probably the best thing in the world.
In 2020, I put together this campaign with Hope for Haiti, and helped raise over $11,000 in just a couple of weeks.
I still do fundraising on Twitch and other platforms every April, which is their annual Hike for Haiti event. I’ve raised over $150,000 so far!
Jaye: How has this work impacted you as an individual?
I always say I’m on this Earth to do two things: entertain people and help others. It makes me happy to see the genuine change happening.
SpringSims: Every $1000 donated to Hope for Haiti gives a student a one-year college scholarship in Haiti, which is incredible. Getting photos and videos from the team in Haiti makes my heart grow even more.
Jaye: Is there a particular moment from your work with Hope for Haiti that’s stuck with you?
SpringSims: I interviewed someone for my podcast who said that we're “changemakers.” That stuck with me because it's true; we’re changing lives one day at a time.
When you have a true passion for something, it can make others want to do more. People with Haitian heritage or family members there have told me how happy they are to know there’s support around the world for the Haitian community.
Jaye: What do you wish more people knew about Hope for Haiti’s cause?
SpringSims: I’m hoping that more people learn about Hope for Haiti from this article and know they can make a difference.
If you’re a content creator, you don’t need the biggest platform to make a difference. I’m not the biggest creator myself. It’s impact over numbers!
Also, I’m planning something exciting next April for Hope for Haiti, so if any creators are reading this and want to participate, contact me, and I’ll point you in the right direction!
Jaye: How else do you hope to continue your work with Hope for Haiti moving forward?
SpringSims: I want to collaborate with more creators from different niches, whether they do lifestyle, makeup, or anything else.
In 2021, my fellow creators and I raised over $90,000 in one month. I really loved that, and I want to see this campaign expand outside of the creator space, too.
Jaye: What are some ways The Sims community and other communities can be involved in supporting your work?
SpringSims: Oh, the best way they can get involved is by talking about it!
Hope for Haiti also has a program called Buckets of Hope that you can do in your own community. You literally get a bucket, put it somewhere with a sign that says, “Hey, donate to Hope for Haiti,” and a QR code. Every single donation adds up to a huge collective goal.
Jaye: Are there any other causes you would like to work with in the future?
SpringSims: I’ve worked with a lot of charities. I’m continuing my work with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, as I do every year in May.
In the month of February—my birthday month—I also always fundraise for a different charity. I don’t personally like attention, so I put that attention on somebody else who needs it more than I do.
I haven’t planned out what I want to do for this February yet though. I usually wait until closer to the end of the year and see if anything comes up. Stay tuned!
Jaye: Alright, we’re down to our last question, which is a very important one. What advice would you give to someone who’s inspired to create something for a cause they’re passionate about?
SpringSims: Don’t stress about the amount of money you want to raise. Think about smaller goals, because those definitely add up!
When you’re setting up your own campaign, think about what the organization means to you. Why do you want to get involved in this charity right now?
If you’re able to articulate the why, then everything else falls into place.
To learn more and get involved, check out SpringSims’ content on Twitch and YouTube.
You Didn’t Call Her! The Life and Lore of Callia Maebey
Ring Ring!
You know what that means–Callia Maebey is back. She loves a good phone call. You? Not so much. In the newest quality of life update to The Sims 4 on June 30, 2026, we’re tackling 12 of the most upvoted reports on EA forums. You'll see tuning for excessive calls and notifications based on community feedback, but have no fear, Callia is still around the corner!
Quirky to some, deeply unnerving to others. Both are correct.
Callia Maebey first stepped into The Sims 4 Main Menu with a simple purpose: help players discover what their Sims could do with the cell phone. Then you all saw her.
What started as a helpful nudge quickly became one of our favorite Main Menu moments. We’re here to tell you that there’s more to her than meets the wide, unblinking eye.
Callia is a quintessential Sims story: a practical feature prompt that accidentally became a character, then a community joke, then official lore.
Let’s dial in to the origin, lore and many returns that made Callia the erratic, high-maintenance icon she is.
Call Her Maebey
This iconic name was actually just one potential option for the Sim known to our development team as “Phone Lady.”
A producer had pitched five possible names: Cellia Phone, Roman Chargess, Talia Faunn, Canya Hermé, and of course, Callia Maebey.
Callia won. It was unanimous, obviously.
One member of The Sims team puts it: “there are no if, ands, or maebeys about it.”
Hey, You Just Met Her
If you’ve ever encountered Callia Maebey, you know she makes a memorable introduction.
That was by design.
Long before Simmers met her, Callia was originally created as part of an onboarding process for prospective new hires at The Sims.
Was it effective? Unfortunately, yes.
Main Menu Mayhem
Callia’s new legacy began on The Sims 4 Main Menu with her early 2022 debut for the phone feature.
Then Simmers looked her in the eyes.
Her signature wide-eyed stare, gaping smile, and death-grip on her phone quickly unsettled many players, giving her a reputation for seeming less like a helpful tutorial Sim and more like someone who knew what you did in your last save.
The Sims team debated removing Callia entirely. However, they instead staged a belated April Fools’ prank in April 2022, where she took over the entire Main Menu with the vaguely threatening message, “you didn’t call me but I’m here.”
If she looks familiar, one of the artists who designed her confirmed Callia drew inspiration from a certain wide-eyed ex girlfriend meme. The resemblance just so happens to go beyond looks…
Want Callia in your own save? She was added to the Gallery on April 26, 2022, which means inviting her into your game is technically optional.
That’s a choice.
Death Couldn’t Keep Her Off-Camera
Boo!
Thought you were free of Callia Maebey after her Main Menu takeover?
According to our Sims’ very normal chain of events, Callia canonically died that fateful day. She didn’t stay invisible for long.
In July 2022, Callia spooked us all again with a cameo in the reveal trailer for The Sims 4 High School Years Expansion Pack, appearing as the ghost photobombing Ash Harjo in the photo booth.
Even death couldn’t force Callia to hang up her phone for good. Before long, she mysteriously returned to the flesh.
Did Grim decide to resurrect her as an agent of chaos? Was she reincarnated with ambrosia after the release of The Sims 4 Life and Death Expansion Pack?
We may never know…
She Took No Time With The Fall
A pivotal moment for Callia Maebey came in July 2024, when instead of looking for more ways to jumpscare us, she started looking for…love.
As the star of a reality dating show airing on a TV channel introduced in The Sims 4 Lovestruck Expansion Pack, Callia dated four eligible bachelors: a cowboy, a Sim in a hotdog costume, heartthrob Kyle Kyleson, and vampire Caleb Vatore.
Caleb won a rose from Callia after a graveyard date that ended with some coffin WooHoo back at his place.
In a shocking turn of events, he rejected her to passionately smooch Kyle instead. Ouch!
Welcome Wagon
Callia Maebey wasted no time captaining the welcome wagon, when a few new life simulation neighbors moved in.
She arrived with her classic smile and a piece of fruitcake complete with a red ribbon. Because nothing says welcome to the neighborhood like baked goods from someone who definitely knows your phone number.
Callia sure knows how to give newcomers an unforgettable welcome!
She’s Still Watching
Where’s Callia now? Well, a bit of drama has unfolded since you last saw her…
Remember those free earbuds your Sims kept getting calls about? You'll never guess who was behind them.
Actually, you probably will.
Callia Maebey herself was the mysterious earbud peddler all along. While you won't be getting calls about them anymore with the update, she’s still using them to listen to your Sims’ every move. Oh, and she’s been hacking the phones she loves so much, too.
Most Sims are probably fine.
Probably.
Unfortunately for Caleb Vatore, he definitely isn’t..
Not long after the dating show, an anonymous Social Bunny account leaked texts suggesting Caleb had been entertaining other Sims during his relationship with Kyle Kyleson.
Kyle quickly broke things off with Caleb and hard-launched a new relationship with none other than Callia.
The two of them even moved in together.
Coincidence? We think not.
From there, Callia launched her career as a Simfluencer on Social Bunny. Anyone who questioned her rise to fame soon found themselves cancelled by exposed information.
Suspicious.
What could she be planning next? Starting tomorrow, June 30, 2026, go take a look at The Sims 4 Main Menu.
You didn’t call her, but she’s here.
The Story Behind Llama Lore in The Sims
If you’ve ever played The Sims, you’ve met at least one llama.
What started as an inside joke for our developers became one of the franchise’s cutest obsessions. Yes, there is a story behind the llamas.
Maybe you saw one on a sweater, or judging your Sim from an animal shed.
No matter how you feel about these fluffy, two-toed, spitting creatures, they’re as quintessential to The Sims as a red dress is to Bella Goth.
Grab some hay to munch on as we dive into history and lore of The Sims phe-llama-non.
The Lla-Mascot
Llamas date back to the very beginning of The Sims franchise, before the original game was released.
In the early days of Maxis Studios, the company found itself mascot-less, and obviously had to correct the situation. They held a team-wide vote for an unofficial studio mascot with three choices:
A Boston tree fern.
A beef tapeworm.
And a llama.
The llama won. Shocker.
But we’re sure decades of beef tapeworm lore would’ve been…something.
From Mascot to Manual
Once the noble llama was crowned as the unofficial Maxis mascot, it didn’t take long for it to sneak into The Sims game.
One of the earliest pieces of llama lore was tucked into The Sims user manual: a book titled “Making The Most of Your Llama.”
We highly recommend you read it. After all, who doesn’t want to make the most of their llama?
Deep Llama Lore
That was only the beginning.
Over the years, llamas appeared as school mascots, decor, apparel, jokes, and background details players might miss unless they were really looking.
Much like a certain wooden horse from Ancient Greece, the team snuck in more obscure llamas, too.
In The Sims 2, Sims on the intelligence career track may encounter a chance card detailing an illegal means of questioning by the SCIA: repeated llama bleating.
Rumor has it the sound will drive Sims mad.
Listen at your own risk.
If you’d rather worship llamas, The Sims 2 Castaway has an ancient civilization with a llama deity. Those Sims reportedly vanished in a battle with aliens, but fear not!
Their temple full of llama relics survived, including giant statues of llama heads.
Phew.
You can also find llama relics during your exploration in The Sims 4 Jungle Adventure Expansion Pack. Who knows what powers they hold…
For the Urbz players out there, you can find a vending machine with…llama jerky. A suspicious piece of artwork from The Sims 4 Cool Kitchen Stuff Pack depicts a similar delicacy.
If you’re wondering if that implies what you think it does…yeah.
It turns out Sims are more culinarily adventurous than we thought.
Anyone want a snack?
We know you love your cheat codes, so for The Sims 3, there’s enableLlamas on/off.
You’ll never guess what it does.
Nothing.
Don’t believe us? You’ll just have to see for yourself.
Living Llamas
Llamas truly came to life in-game when The Sims 4 Cottage Living Expansion Pack featured the first live llama!
Sims can house either a cow or a llama in each of their animal sheds, but the decision to include llamas wasn’t as easy as you may think.
Some team members were so against including more llamas that choosing which animal would join cows came down to a vote between llamas and sheep.
In case you haven’t been counting, that’s TWO historic llama victories in The Sims team’s elections.
Llama Drama
One of the most iconic insults in The Sims is to “imply their mother is a llama.”
In The Sims 3 Ambitions Expansion Pack, Sims can also refuse to give makeovers if they think the client looks like a llama.
These scathing offenses are actually The Sims writers’ solution to a conundrum: maintaining some decorum while giving Sims the freedom to burn each other at will.
In the words of one developer, it’s about “finding that Simsy version of something that’s a little over the edge.”
The Life of a Llama
So how do these lovely llamas make their way into The Sims?
There is no formal llama development pipeline. Ideas often come from concept artists, modellers, and even producers.
According to a developer, “it’s become second nature for both designers and artists to consider including llamas.”
If they see a llama-tunity, they pitch it.
The goal is to have a “healthy amount” of llamas in-game, so to avoid a llama-pocalypse, team leads periodically evaluate whether there are too many.
Inside Llamas, Inside The Sims
The llama legacy is not limited to the game.
The group of developers assigned to The Sims 4 High School Years Expansion Pack was known as “The Llamas Team.”
Everyone who worked on The Sims 4 Cottage Living Expansion Pack received plush llamas that can still be found on many developer’s desks.
During the pandemic, one manager surprised a team of concept artists by hiring a llama to join their virtual social event live from a farm! We really wish that tradition stuck around.
Luckily, the annual Maxis ugly sweater contest is still running, and it never fails to feature plenty of llamas. If your Sims participated in the Cozy Celebrations Event in 2024, they can match with a llama sweater of their own.
Last but not least is the mythical llamacorn…which is exactly what it sounds like.
The Sims developers use llamacorn icons as placeholders in early development, but they occasionally slip into the game. Legend has it that a rare llamacorn sighting brings good luck.
At least we think so.
Unless it starts bleating, apparently.
Long Live the Llama
By now, there are so many llama references in The Sims that we don’t even keep an official tally. Our challenge to you is get out there and count them for us.
Just kidding.
But seriously, if you want to, who are we to stop you?
How New CAS Starter Sims Expand Cultural Expression in The Sims 4
As part of The Sims’ ongoing commitment to our value of inclusivity, the eight new default Sims and CAS accessories introduced in the July 21 free base game update are influenced by Native American, South Asian, Caribbean, and Latin American cultures.
Download the new Sims now on the Maxis Gallery page!
We’ll also have more free content releases throughout the year that expand representation in-game with everyday clothing and Build/Buy items, so you can create a wider variety of Sims and stories.
The Inspiration
To create the new default Sims, the team worked with cultural experts and drew inspiration from their own backgrounds.
Identity is at the heart of The Sims. It’s a space for you to tell your stories the way that only you can, so it's important to us that our players see themselves represented in the game.
We are always looking for ways to improve, and one of the ways we do that is by listening to you.
Data from a player survey earlier this year told us that visual identity representation for certain cultural groups had room to grow, so we looked at existing CAS Sims. Sure enough, the opportunities we found to expand representation in CAS aligned with what you wanted to see based on the survey results.
Shortly afterwards, the team began researching and kicked off the detailed design process to create Sims and accessories with influence from Native American, South Asian, Caribbean, and Latin American cultures.
The Design Process
Our first step was assessing where we could expand storytelling opportunities in the game. We decided to create a unique accessory for each new Sim to complement their clothing, giving players even more ways to customize their characters in CAS.
Throughout the project, we consulted with both EA-internal and external cultural experts through our Games for All-team and SILA Consulting. They started by providing us with references to inspire our designs, then shared their feedback and perspective on every draft to help ensure they felt authentic.
We iterated each piece accordingly, and sought out multiple perspectives on every aspect of the new Sims, including their bodies, faces, skin tones, aspirations, traits, accessories, and clothing.
For instance, the cowrie shell and beaded bracelet worn by Yuniel Suarez was inspired by Afro-Caribbean styles. Working with our consultants, we explored how similar pieces have historic significance and continue to be worn across many communities today. We added vibrant color options to accessorize both neutral and colorful outfit choices.
In addition to working with consultants, members of The Sims team contributed their personal experiences to these characters from their own backgrounds.
Throughout the design process, we found that our team members gravitated toward working on the Sims they connected with culturally. For example, one of our Caribbean team members weighed in on the outfit and style for Lisette Baptiste..
For Monica Garcia, we drew inspiration from several facial references. While she was inspired by multiple sources, one of our Latin American concept artists mentioned that she unintentionally resembles their cousin!
Accessory Spotlight
Roshni Agarwal's bangles were refined with guidance from our consultants, who reviewed our concepts and recommended making them thinner to better reflect popular styles across South Asia. We also expanded the range of designs and created versions in different metal tones to complement a wider variety of outfits.
Mohan Singh wears a kara (or kada), a bracelet with particular significance in the Sikh faith that serves as an important identity marker for many Sikhs.
These additions reflect just a small part of the diversity of South Asian identities, but we hope they add nuance and authenticity to the stories our Simmers choose to tell.
Rodrigo Vargas wears a bracelet made with huayruro seeds, introducing a culturally inspired accessory with a unique design that is new to The Sims 4.
Recently, a Peruvian Simmer shared with us that they own a very similar bracelet in real life. Our goal is to have these accessories connect our players’ Sims to their real world selves while providing opportunities for those unfamiliar with the culture to learn and appreciate them.
Traits and Aspirations
Once we designed all eight new Sims, it was time to craft their stories.
In collaboration with the cultural experts, we selected traits and aspirations to feel authentic while ensuring no single aspect of their identity defined who they are.
For example, Roshni has the Vegetarian trait, reflecting traditions found in many South Asian communities. She's also a creative art-lover with the Neighborhood Confidante aspiration, so you'll likely find her building connections and bringing Sims together wherever she goes.
Nathan Goodstrike has the Bestselling Author aspiration, inspired in part by the rich storytelling traditions found across many Native communities. Beyond that, he's neat, self-assured, and a genius, a combination we're excited to see players build on in their own stories.
Welcome the new Sims into your stories by downloading from the Maxis Gallery page. Their accessories are also available in CAS to add new flair to any of your existing Sims.
Join The Sims Discord to share your creations with us! We’d love to see the stories you tell with these Sims, styles, and accessories.
Meet the Maker Packs Debuting in The Sims 4
Hello, my Fabulistas!
Your fashion-forward thinker, pro-polka-dot, luxe-on-a-budget, and friendly neighborhood stylist Izzy Fabulous is here to show you the jaw-dropping Maker Packs coming to The Sims 4 Marketplace in August - with more on the way soon!
Give your Sims and their spaces a true Izzy Fabulous makeover with these brand new Create-a-Sim and Build/Buy items. Trust me, darlings, you won’t want to miss them.
Soft Minimalism Living Collection
We’re off to a blue-tiful start with simspancake’s latest Maker Pack. Blending sleek modernism with natural warmth, you can craft a mindful living and dining space that strikes the perfect balance of cozy and luxurious.
From distinctive lighting fixtures to intentional tabletop decorations like open books and ceramic greenery, your Sims’ spaces will look not only high-end, but lived-in and homey. Now that’s visual harmony, if I do say so myself!
This positively perfect pack is available here!
Musical Note Collection
Speaking of harmony, Newsea is bringing rhythmic ribbons to CAS with two new hairstyles and a neck ribbon inspired by the vintage elegance of the Jazz Age.
The inward-curled medium-length hair is effortlessly classy, and the lively strands framing your Sim’s face add a distinctly modern twist. Pair it with the little dress hat and neck ribbon featuring musical notes to bring the pieces together into one melodious masterpiece.
I know a showstopper when I see one, and when your Sim goes out on the town with this look, heads will turn. That’s an Izzy Fabulous guarantee.
This symphonic set can be yours right here!
Sweet Summer
Nothing says summer like fresh fashion in your Sim’s wardrobe, and what better addition than a dreamy picnic dress from Miiko. With a gorgeous A-line halter and both cotton and lace options, your Sim will be ready for casual afternoon tea or an evening soiree.
Paired with a layered hairstyle for both feminine and masculine Sims and a soft glam-inspired makeup collection complete with lipstick, blush, eyeliner, and eyeshadow, this Maker Pack has everything you need to style your Sim from head to toe for all their summer gatherings.
Perfect timing! I’ve been wanting to try long hair for a while now, and your Sims can, too.
Pick up this stunning set here!
Sophie Set
I don’t know who Sophie is, but she’s redesigning my bedroom with this charming Maker Pack by SolunaRae. Drawing inspiration from cozy cottages and handmade heirlooms, this furniture is bringing more thoughtful details and cozy cheer to Build/Buy.
Featuring heart-shaped accents, hand-painted finishes, and crocheted decor, your Sim’s room will feel warm, welcoming, and full of character. Not to mention, the color palette is unmatched.
You think I chose just any color for my hair? Absolutely not. Nothing says fabulous like pink!
Bring a little whimsy into your Sims’ bedrooms right here.
Country Morning
And divine delicacies! Kerriganhouse is already making me hungry with this spread of decorative comfort food and home-cooked treats.
You’ll be able to spruce up your table with rustic charm and farm-fresh delights for breakfast…and lunch and dinner. Whether your Sims embrace country living or thrive as hustling, bustling city folk, these versatile clutter items will add homemade warmth to any kitchen.
Would you look at that scrumptious slice of pie? I’m obsessed.
Salon Glow Hair Set
MADLEN is also serving iconic silhouettes with this Maker Pack, featuring 6 versatile hairstyles that feel chic, freshly styled, and flattering at every angle.
Whether your Sim is looking for long hair, medium cuts, bobs, or updos, they’ll find the perfect look to match their mood. Each style is perfectly polished for a night out while maintaining simplicity to complement everyday outfits. In simple terms, they’re simply marvelous.
Give your Sims these salon-worthy styles ASAP!
Y2K Gamer
If you’re looking for maximum millennium-era magic, The Y2K Gamer Maker Pack by HYDRA has got you covered, darling! Chunky monitors, pastel perfection, and retro clutter?! I’m already LOVING the vision!
Add the iconic flower chair, pink inflatable armchair, CD player, and sticker-covered CRT TV, then finish off the room with heart rugs and star lamps, and voilà: your Sim’s ultimate Y2K haven passes the vibe check.
The Little Plant & Garden Shop
Last, but most certainly not least, SixamCC is bringing all of the lush and leafy loveliness to our plant-iful party with the Little Plant & Garden Maker Pack! With 20+ gorgeous plants, rustic furniture, charming displays, and adorable planters, Sims will have everything they need to create a dream plant shop, greenhouse, or greenery-filled home.
After all, every fabulous Sim needs a little extra foliage to truly flourish!
Celebrate summer by refreshing your Sims’ wardrobes and spaces with all these Maker Packs and more, which you can find in The Sims 4 Marketplace, either in-game or on the web. I know it’s where I browse for new looks!
Happy styling! Izzy Fabulous out.
Becoming a Maker: Simspancake’s Journey
Editor’s Note: Simspancake began creating custom content for The Sims 4 with “literally zero skills.” Now, they’ve made their debut as a member of the Maker Program. This is their story.
One day, I started playing The Sims 3 right off the disc on a family member’s old laptop.
I quickly became obsessed.
The first time I opened the game, I was blown away by the amount of stories I was able to tell, and I’ve been playing ever since. As a writer, dating-sim lover, and artist, The Sims gave me the freedom to create crazy stories, unleash drama, and express my creativity. I even remember drawing Bella Goth when I was younger!
My drawings quickly grew to include my own concept art for items and clothing that I dreamed of seeing in the game. As soon as I discovered custom content (CC), I started using it to personalize my Sims, houses, and stories.
During one fateful YouTube scrolling session, I found a tutorial on creating custom content.
I never looked back.
I had literally zero skills when I started. Learning everything from scratch was a tough process, but I had so much fun doing it. Texturing became my favorite part of CC creation because it allowed my existing drawing ability to shine, especially my understanding of light and shadow.
Here’s my texturing workflow:
I start in a Blender add-on, where I unwrap the UV map and create a blank canvas for the asset I’m creating. Next, I add an Ambient Occlusion (AO) map based on the scene’s lighting and start building the texture.
I organize every element with separate layers: seams, highlights, details, and base colors. This makes creating swatches and color variations more efficient, and it allows me to fix mistakes without starting over from scratch. After a couple hours of hand-painting, my diffuse map is finished.
Finally, I generate the normal and specular maps and test lighting effects to see how the map reacts.
My very first piece of CC was a recolor of a female top from The Sims 4 base game. Even though it wasn’t very complex, I’m still proud of the piece and the challenges I overcame to create it. Most CC tutorials were in English, which is not my first language, so following every technical step without missing anything was difficult.
The final result wasn’t exactly what I expected, but it inspired me to keep learning so I could create exactly the pieces I envisioned.
I continued practicing, but I never imagined this would turn into a platform that has given me so many amazing opportunities to create for the community. The Sims 4 Businesses & Hobbies Expansion Pack inspired me to create a set of CC furniture that players could sell in their small businesses with matching decor. It was very well-received and marked the beginning of my journey.
I had only been creating CC for about a year when I had the opportunity to join the Maker Program, so it felt like a massive step for me as both a creator and a Simmer.
The application process was smooth and easy to follow. The Sims team provided documentation to guide my work into the program. To any prospective Makers interested in joining: don’t be scared of the process!
From there, I started working on my first official Maker Pack. Makers have access to a suite of new tools, but we have a user-friendly interface and clear documentation to help, which also taught me professional game development concepts that transformed my workflow. Plus, every update to our tools adds new features based on Maker requests.
With the release of that first pack, my work reached players all over the world. When I started playing The Sims, I never could have imagined that one day, a pack I created myself would be part of my favorite game!
This journey started as a hobby, and now it’s a substantial part of my life. It means the world to me as a player and artist, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to reach new audiences and hone my craft.
Optimization in particular was a major learning curve for me when I first joined the Maker Program, but thanks to the resources I received, I now understand the process for ensuring the game runs smoothly across platforms through Levels of Detail (LoD).
Nearly every asset in The Sims 4, from the environment to the Sims themselves, uses LoDs. When a player zooms in, the game displays the high-detail model, and as they zoom out, the game swaps in lower-detail models to preserve performance.
My optimization workflow starts by building the highest-detail model (LOD0) alongside the diffuse map. Back in a Blender add-on, I use tools and modifiers to simplify the geometry for lower LoDs, making sure the silhouette stays distinct and the texture map projects cleanly.
This process takes up a significant portion of my development pipeline. It’s the most important step in creating professional, game-ready assets, and the Maker Program provided access to the tools that helped me develop those skills.
From my own experience, I can assure anyone who is thinking about applying to the program but is feeling unsure about their skills or content that there is nothing to fear. Once I dove in, I realized it wasn’t as intimidating as it seemed. I love that no matter the creative path I want to pursue, this program will give me the freedom and tools to make the content I want to see in The Sims.
Interested in bringing your own ideas to life in The Sims? You can apply to the Maker Program or check out the FAQ for more information.
Celebrating the Top 5 Most Downloaded Maker Packs
The Sims 4 Marketplace is now available on the web! That’s right—starting today, July 29, you’ll be able to browse and purchase Maker Packs online here, as well as in the game.
That means you’ll have another way to access the Create-a-Sim and Build/Buy content from talented Makers, bringing fresh styles, aesthetics, and décor to the stories you tell.
To celebrate, we’re spotlighting the The Top 5 Most Downloaded Maker Packs.
Essential Lashes by Miiko
If your Sim is hoping to turn heads in every room they step into, or maybe even catch the eye of their admirer, Maker Miiko will have them dazzling in luscious lashes and six different eyeliners, perfect for any occasion.
Rumor has it when Katrina Caliente wore these lashes, even the famously nonchalant Don Lothario found himself swooning.
Grab this pack for 200 Moola on the Marketplace.
“Perfect for creating soft, natural styles or bold and defined looks.” - Miiko
Urban Refined by TwistedCat
Your Sim can rock chic streetwear for their next trip to San Myshuno thanks to TwistedCat. From decorated denim to stylish sweatpants, embrace grunge style for partying hard, lounging hard, or both!
Akira Kibo approves. Need we say more?
This pack is available here for 400 Moola.
“A modern clothing collection that blends elegance with streetwear aesthetics.” - TwistedCat
Artsy Boho Bedroom by Taurus
Does your Sim need a break from all the drama to find their zen? Taurus has what you need to create a serene sanctuary with leafy wall-art, handmade decorations, and rattan furniture.
Eliza Pancakes swears by the Woven Dreams Rattan Bed—it’s where she goes to unwind after every argument with her husband Bob. That’s also one of the perks of sleeping in separate rooms. They don’t have to fight over décor.
If that isn’t a ringing endorsement, we don’t know what it is.
This wondrous pack can all be yours right here for 500 Moola.
“Natural materials and warm colors bring every room to life.” - Taurus
Snazzy Living Room by Syboulette
Transform your Sims’ living spaces into modern retreats with this pack by Syboulette. From sleek, rounded furniture to a geometric shelf, experiment with shapes and textures to create a luxurious contemporary atmosphere.
With this interior design, your Sims are guaranteed to impress every guest—even the Landgraabs.
It’s available here on the Web Marketplace for 400 Moola.
“Style so smooth, it curves.” - Syboulette
Stiletto Slice by MADLEN
MADLEN is sure to have your Sims strutting in style with this pack. They’ll be stepping with confidence and looking flawless wherever their story takes them, from a lively night out to a quiet, luxurious dinner.
This pack also has a pretty impressive celebrity endorsement—Bella Goth herself was reportedly seen wearing a pair at The Blue Velvet in Willow Creek.
Try them here yourself for 300 Moola.
“They’ll hear the click before they see the look.” - MADLEN
All these Maker Packs and more are available on The Sims 4 Marketplace. Check it out on the web or in-game to refresh your Sims’ wardrobes and spaces.
Plumrobert’s Highly Official Guide to The Sims Discord
Editor’s Note: The Sims news team received the following article in an email with this subject line: “The Next Post for My Personal Blog.” We didn’t ask questions.
Hello.
I'm Plumrobert.
This is a dashingly handsome picture of me:
As my name suggests, I resemble a Plumbob (you know, the green diamond from The Sims), but with much better looks. And a winning personality.
Welcome to my personal blog. Some people are insisting this is still The Sims News. I don't really see the difference.
Anyway, while they're distracted, I thought I'd tell you about my favorite place on the internet: The Sims Discord.
It's full of builders, storytellers, Create a Sim perfectionists, and people who make suspiciously specific life choices for their Sims.
If you haven't joined us on Discord yet, you should. Just... don't mention I sent you. I'm seeing how long I can get away with writing here.
Here's the important part:
There's always something happening. Weekly Challenges. Chances to win prizes. Big community events with daily activities.
We'll get to all of it, but naturally, we're starting with my specialty.
My Weekly Challenges
Every week, I present the Discord with a new challenge. Every week, the Plorbs answer the call. (The Plorbs are the brave souls who have dedicated themselves to my Weekly Challenges. Nothing weird about that. I promise.)
If you'd like to become one (and you should), head to Channels & Roles and grab the Plumrobert's Champion role. That's all it takes. No paperwork. No interviews. No eternal contract.
Anyone can enter my Weekly Challenge, and you don't even have to include me in your submission.
I know. Shocking.
But today I've chosen to feature entries that did…obviously.
Once my challenges are complete, highlighted entries get featured for the whole Discord to see. They also get my attention.
Can you possibly imagine a better reward? Speaking of rewards… you’re now getting my attention on the national stage. My blog.
Check out some of my favorite Weekly Challenge submissions:
Look how good I look in this tattoo! Lindtee is my new favorite tattoo artist.
My nemesis…I mean best friend Cosmegos made me a whole Sim. Maybe if I drink more milk I'll grow that tall. Thanks to floweshafloweyson, you can live in a me-shaped home. Dream house unlocked.
Prize Challenges
Now, if you're more motivated by "rewards," the Discord has Prize Challenges too.
Apparently, my admiration isn't enough.
These pop up throughout the year in all sorts of forms. Sometimes you'll need to complete a challenge. Sometimes it's as simple as clicking to enter.
And the prizes? Fine. They're impressive.
Game codes. Physical goodies like The Sims Board Game. Even the chance to leave your mark on The SIms 4 game itself.
Take fluffy_muffin613, whose Beaverbrooke Ballet Dress design made its way into Create a Sim. That's right. An actual item in the game.
Not bad.
Still... imagine getting featured by me and winning a prize. Now that's something to brag about.
100k Challenge Dress Entries
To celebrate the addition of fluffy_muffin613’s Beaverbrooke Ballet Dress design, we held a fashion contest. Here are some standout entries:
lioo is getting ready to be a star skater and I support it.
I wonder what summernik860131’s Sims are celebrating… I hope it’s me.
Look at these two. On a fancy outing. I hope Derilopo is sending them somewhere cool.
Garden Challenge Entries
During the launch of The Sims 4 Enchanted by Nature Expansion Pack, we teamed up with Simmers Mr. Olkan, Simspiration, and Simproved to challenge the Discord members to design their best garden.
Here are some of my favorites:
Notanoctopus I don’t know what is going on here… but can I get in on these experiments?
Nathenthegreat_arts really brought the whimsy and enchantment. I approve. And my approval is not easy to get.
I went to France once and Eisfabulous’ garden design reminds me of that.
The Big Ones
Then there are the events that completely consume the server. In a good way.
These aren't weekend affairs. They can run anywhere from 1 to 6 weeks, with new activities popping up every day, exclusive prizes, and event-only Discord roles to show you endured the experience.
We've survived Camp Plumbob, navigated The Royal Court, and debated every questionable outfit during Fashion or Faux Pas Week.
I missed all the previous ones—I hadn't arrived yet.
But if a future event just so happens to feature a suspiciously handsome plum-shaped host, I wouldn't question it.
Fashion or Faux Pas Week Entries
Recently, our community team was feeling themselves and decided to throw a fashion event with daily challenges, but I wasn’t one of the themes. Sigh…
My Plorbs still worked hard, so I’ll show you some entries anyway:
_jaide took part in the “dress for your rising sign” theme. Did they give Taurus? You tell me.
Woot83 tried the “quiet luxury” theme, but it’s giving “I’m going to call both Caliente sisters.”
prettyaroace_56559 dressed to impress for the grand finale, wonder where her Sim went?
So there you have it. The Discord is quite the talented group.
You should join us.
Pick up a role. The link I included already gives you the Plumrobert’s Champion role. You need it.
Enter a challenge. Or lurk quietly until you're ready. Whatever gets you through the door.
And if anyone asks who convinced you... I was never here.
This is still my personal blog, by the way. Please don't ruin this for me.
Why Nardvillain Turns The Sims 4 Into a Horror Playground
Editor’s Note: Nardvillain has become the expert at making Sims…less comfortable. From trapping them in a pool to sending them spiraling into a dangerous grilled cheese addiction, he creates horrors beyond even our own imaginations. We finally asked him one simple question: why? This was his response.
How much time do you have? Wow, where do I even begin…
I’ve always had a passion for telling stories. As a kid, I would daydream all kinds of scenarios and use my cassette player to record myself voice acting with my toys and action figures.
Then, I played my friend’s copy of The Sims.
The idea of controlling an entire household of Sims felt fresh and exciting. It reminded me of playing with my action figures, but I had the freedom to control the narrative in a digital world. With that freedom, my imagination didn’t just grow…it became even more unhinged.
Throughout my teenage years, I caught up on all the classic horror franchises. I loved digging into the lore of how the villains became the way they are, as well as exploring horror storytelling through a darkly comedic lens.
I live for the moments that make you say, “Wow, I didn’t see that coming,” or “Dang, I can’t believe I laughed at that...that’s dark,” and that naturally seeped into my Sims gameplay.
The rest is history.
I started creating Sims content in 2008 with a podcast that evolved into so much more. I did small reviews on my favorite packs in hopes that people would watch my chaotic “The Sims 4: The Pandemic Edition” video series. It’s still unfinished–for now–but hey, we all start somewhere!
In the beginning, I was too shy to show my true personality. Afraid that I would scare people away, I held myself back. The right people stayed, and when I discovered short-form videos, I finally embraced the villainous persona within.
One of the first videos to go viral on short-form platforms was “A Sim Drowning in First Person Mode,” along with “My Sims Are Addicted to Grilled Cheese.” Those videos, along with my deadpan style, felt different from what was out there at the time, and the confidence from those successes helped me get out of my comfort zone and create even more Sims thrillers.
Some of my best work was “Best Friends Forever” with Callia Maebey, that creepy cell phone lady on all our Main Menus (you can read her complete history and lore here). That video was a classic thriller piece that marked my transition toward whole-heartedly owning my horror brand.
And of course, introducing my signature "DAG DAG" was entirely driven by the SUPERVILLAINS, my core followers. I had said "Dag Dag" at the end of a TikTok one time, and my low, sinister tone led people to leave comments like, “Why do I feel threatened?” and “That Dag Dag was dark.” It gave me more inspiration to continue the dark tone of my videos, like my favorite, “The Grilled Cheese Aspiration is Evil.”
For “Dealing with Noisy WooHoo Neighbors Goes Wrong,” my community helped bring the video to life by collaborating on the script and even choosing the wardrobe. I’m hoping to do more of those in the future and bring as many of you into the chaos as possible.
Lately, I’ve been making short-form death challenges like the “100 Sims in a Pool Challenge” that I want to explore in long-form. Trapping this many Sims did require some outside help, though.
If there’s anything I’ve learned throughout the evolution of my content, it’s that if you let your personality shine, you’ll find the right people who vibe with it. The options for creativity are limitless in a game like The Sims 4, and it brings so many like-minded people together.
So, what advice do I have for the horror-minded Simmers out there looking to wreak havoc on their Sims’ lives?
Well, it all begins with an idea.
You can take any opportunity and turn it into a dastardly deed. Look at the mechanics from The Sims 4 For Rent Expansion Pack,* or the ability to break in and swipe items. Take advantage of traits like Paranoid and add a twisted angle. If you really want to think outside the box, The Sims 4 Lovestruck Expansion Pack* is great for doing a thriller about obsessions. Take a look at Cupid’s Corner…
Next, create your characters.
I focus on backstories. Usually, a character isn’t born a villain, and eventually people are going to ask how they ended up the way they are. So, I also try to create their parents and grandparents if I see opportunities to revisit those storylines.
For traits, I like to pick ones that fit the narrative.
For example, I gave my most well-known Sims character, Velma Vernon, the Foodie trait because she grew up in a food-centric culture. Fun fact: she originally had the name Velma the Butcher and even wore a butcher outfit.
Now that you have your characters, it’s time to make them…less comfortable.
By definition, comfort is a state of physical ease and mental well-being, free from pain, worry, or distress. So first things first: how do you manipulate their needs? Think of ways to restrict their ability to be happy. Are you trapping them? Are they scared? Are they being haunted or chased?
You should also think about the emotion you want your story to evoke. Is the goal to react with “Damn, that was weird,” “I was in tears of laughter,” or something else in between? Design your story with your ideal reaction in mind. Then experiment with the most unhinged ways to get there.
All this to say, my “why,” the reason I do all this, is pretty simple.
My passion is creating unique, authentic stories that make others want to join in, too.
I love when Simmers discover a new way of playing because of how I'm using the features. Hearing someone say the magic words, “I didn’t know you could do that," is why I do what I do.
I will always be an advocate for following your dreams and just doing what you enjoy because, at some point, those like-minded people and Simmers will find you.
Now, get out there and unleash your most unhinged Simming. They’re looking a little too comfortable if you ask me…
Dag Dag!